Source:
The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. Microfilm 6/127: Microfilmed with
the permission of the Royal Irish Academy. Doc. No. 9510005

Date of creation:
17 August 1834

Biographical sketch/Administrative history

James Ward arrived as an Irish immigrant in Saint John, New Brunswick on 10
May 1834 and was shortly thereafter employed on the steamboat Woodstock. His
letter indicates that he meant to remain in the province for only two years,
at which time he planned to return to Ireland. His sister, Mary, was living
in Fredericton, New Brunswick, while his remaining family, including his mother,
father, some sisters, and his uncles Michael and Denis, amongst others, remained
in Ireland

Scope and content

In his letter, James Ward, discusses employment, wages, and the price of staple
provisions. He also expresses mixed feelings on emigrating to New Brunswick
stating that while he has “no reason to complain...but one thing I must observe
to you and for the information of all friends, that there is a long and tedious
winter here to which our countrymen at home is not used to,” but that, “This
country puts an Irishman to his wits, every man his fancy. I will neither advise
persons of my own or any other family to come out, or yet stop.” Finally he
sends his love to family and friends and informs his father of how acquaintances
from Ireland are fairing in New Brunswick.